Awaiting Puppies

John with Molly on her first night home with us, May 2003

Truly and absolutely, each Brittany we share our lives with is unique and special in it's own right. Collectively, we are proud of our beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving, canine crew of hunting dogs and companions.  Individually, we identify their differences and treat them respectfully for the individual dog they each are.  Such is the way I am feeling tonight as John and I await the birth of Molly and Jacks puppies. 

Every Brittany born or brought here arrives with a special purpose.  Every time we make the responsible decision to breed our dogs there is a reason.  And every time our thoughts turn to the approaching birth of pups it is as if for the first time, even if it has been many times over the years we experience this gift of life.

Molly Rose is in the early stages of her labor.  Although she is quite predictable in her behavior and we can refer to our journal of past deliveries, she will not be left alone.  Her temperature wavered back and forth for the past two days before finally remaining below 99 degrees.  Our checklist is complete and the water bottles have been filled and placed in the puppy basket, the heat lamp checked and rechecked, digital scales set for measuring weight, all necessary items sterilized such as aspirator, blunt end scissors, forceps, hemostats, the cotton balls and iodine are ready for the umbilical cords, and precut heavy thread with needle awaits to tie the cord off.  I've kept close watch of her temperature the past few days and her behavior.  She is becoming increasingly restless, panting more frequently, straining quietly and gracefully, and has no appetite at all.  We have a bottle of Pedialyte to replace for her water after she delivers to be sure she remains hydrated and that her electolyte level is not depleted.  Blankets and paper to shred are in her whelping box where she now chooses to spend all of her time.  As this night continues all of her behavior patterns will increase until the actual birth of her first puppy, which always takes the longest.  We have our vet on standby and will call to let them know when the litter arrived and travel to them within 36 hours for mom and pups exam along with dewclaw removal and tail cropping. 

Molly prefers to have John at her side as her labor advances and I respect this.  She is definitely his girl although she and I are also very close.  But this is very important for both of them.  When Molly had pups previously John was always at work and not here for her delivery.  I would call him there as each pup was born and keep him informed that way, but it wasn't the same.  This is the first time he's actually been here for Molly, beginning to end and believe me - I am yielding right of way for all the right reasons!  I love how much he loves the dogs, how much they mean to him, and how important they are.  And I think of John  now in the dog house with Molly, surrounded by the quietness of the moment.  I know he has an attentive eye on Molly and that she has her eye on him as well.  Watching them via the surveillance camera, listening over the monitor warms my heart. In the past he has been so tired from having worked hard all day that he'd fall asleep with the walkie talkie on his pillow while I played midwife.  Tonight it is very different but it is the way it should be.  And I am very relaxed and comfortable with the way it is.  I know John and Molly are as well.  She is a very good size but at the end of this pregnancy her appetite has waned and it's been hard to get her to eat. She has enjoyed liver, chicken, and many other supplements to her diet though.  I do not know how many puppies she will have.  But they have been extremely active, which is always the case with Molly's puppies anyway!  All is well and we have 4 families waiting for hunting companions.   Jack and Molly's pups from their first litter are 2 years old now, and are all simply amazing.  I do say that about all our babies, but it's true regardless. 

It is a special night here at All Things Brittanys and it is always a joy to be able to write and share these experiences with those who are interested.  But there is also a seriousness about all of this, and the first 72 hours after pups are born are critical.  There may not be any update for a day or so for this very reason but we will do our best.  In the meantime, we'd sure appreciate a little extra prayer tonight from those who Believe.  And speaking of prayer... Teri is doing well in India and will return home to her family this coming weekend.  I can't wait until I know she's safe and sound in the USA again.

Take care and God Bless! John, Ann, Jack, Molly and All Things Brittany